‘Marroning’ is a well-known summer highlight in Western Australia with more than 10,000 fishers licenced to go marron fishing between noon this Sunday January 8 and noon on Sunday February 5.
Wild marron are an icon in WA’s South West, so fishing must be managed carefully to protect stocks and preserve this unique experience.
Decisions about managing marron stocks are based on research.
This includes an ongoing tagging program.
In the 2023 season, fishers may catch marron that have a green t-bar tag (as well as the existing yellow t-bar tags).
You can keep legal-sized tagged marron.
Fishers are then invited to contribute to this research by emailing or calling through with information if they catch a tagged marron.
The research team needs to know in which dam the tagged marron was caught, the date, tag number and, if possible, a photo.
The information can be sent to marcus.newman@dpird.wa.gov.au or call 9203 0132 to leave a message with the key details.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Aquatic Resource Management Director Nathan Harrison said past and future stocking projects also offered an important contribution to the future of the fishery and enhancing the marron fishing experience.
“Recreational licence fees invested in the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund have been hard at work supporting the fishery through a marron stocking project,” Mr Harrison said.
“Between February 2021 and July 2022, a total of just over 300,000 juvenile marron were released into two popular South West fishing spots at Logue Brook Dam and Waroona Dam. With funding from the Recreational Fishing COVID Response Project, planning is also underway to stock
Harvey Dam with around 100,000 juvenile marron.”
Mr Harrison said the fishing rules were vital to help manage marron fishing in a sustainable way.
These include a limited season, permitted fishing gear, bag, size and possession limits. Fishers also need to abide by the prohibition on campfires.
DPIRD’s Community Education team will provide information and advice at fishing locations and compliance officers will also be out on patrol and making sure the rules are followed.
If you see any illegal pre-season activity, call FishWatch 1800 815 507, or use the online form on Crimestoppers.
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